Optimization of biodiesel yield from waste cooking oil and sesame oil using RSM and ANN techniques.

In the era of global energy crises and the pressing concern of fossil fuel depletion, the quest for sustainable alternatives has become paramount. The current study aims to optimize biodiesel extraction from a combination of waste cooking oil (WCO) and sesame seed oil (SSO) through response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN). The cold flow properties of biodiesel produced from WCO are a major obstacle to the commercial use of biodiesel. On the other hand, SSO possesses better oxidation stability and cold flow properties. A mixture of waste cooking oil (i.e. 70 % by volume) and sesame seed oil (i.e. 30 % by volume) has been prepared for biodiesel production via a microwave-assisted transesterification process. For biodiesel yield optimization, the interaction among the operating parameters is developed by RSM, whereas biodiesel yield is predicted by ANN. The operating parameters include reaction speed, RPM (100-600 rpm), reaction time (1-5 min), methanol to oil ratio (8:1-12:1 v/v), and catalyst concentration (0.1-2 % w/w). The highest biodiesel yield of 94 % is found at a reaction speed of 350 rpm, reaction time of 3 min, catalyst concentration of 1.05 w/w, and methanol to oil ratio of 10:1. Furthermore, it is discovered that when estimating biodiesel production rate depending on reaction constraints, ANN shows lower comparative error compared to RSM. The results show that ANN outperforms RSM in terms of percentage improvement when it comes to biodiesel production prediction.

Investigating the effect of solvent on anti-antioxidant properties of Sesamum indicum seeds.

Dietary phytochemicals are important bioactive compounds that can scavenge reactive oxygen species. These essential compounds may have antioxidant properties which are known to play a significant role in the treatment and prevention of many chronic diseases. Sesame, an oil-bearing seed, is a well-known promising source of food with both nutritional and therapeutic benefits. As a result, the study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant properties of different solvent extracts of Sesame seeds and to analyse the bioactive compounds present. The seeds were obtained from the local farmers and prepared for analysis. The bioactive compounds present in the seeds were extracted using hexane, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and water. The total phenolic content (TPC), the condensed tannin content (CTC), the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and the 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay were also determined using standard methods. Two chemometric methods, hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and Pearson correlation, were employed to evaluate the interdependence of the various parameters and the antioxidant activity. Anti-nutrients such as saponins, alkaloids, phytates, and oxalates were also analysed from the powdered seeds. The study results revealed the presence of anti-nutrients such as phytate (7.691 ± 0.8576 mg/g), oxalate (1.501 ± 0.1375 mg/g), saponins (21.33 ± 4.619 mg/g) and alkaloids (317.33 ± 30.29 mg/g). The study also revealed that the aqueous extract exhibited the highest TPC (17.12 ± 0.041 mg GAE/g of dried extract, p < 0.05) and CTC (64.27 ± 4.711 mg CE/g of dried extract, p < 0.05). Ethanol and hexane had a similar total phenolic content (14.83 ± 0.123 and 14.66 ± 1.474 mg GAE/g of dried extract, respectively, p < 0.05Ethyl acetate had the lowest TPC content. Ethanol extracts had the highest antioxidant activity with a TAC value of 232.6 ± 6.267 mg/g AAE and a DPPH scavenging activity of IC50 of 52.81 ± 2.30 µg/mL. A good correlation (p < 0.05) was established between the extracts' TPC, CTC, TAC, and DPPH radical scavenging activity. Chemometric analysis from the study showed no significant connection between the radical scavenging activity of TPC and DPPH. From the results obtained, it can be concluded that the bioactive compounds present in the sesame seed and their subsequent antioxidant properties are dependent on the nature of the solvent used for extraction.

Nano-Biochar Prepared from High-Pressure Homogenization Improves Thermal Conductivity of Ethylene Glycol-Based Coolant.

As an environmentally friendly material, biochar is increasingly being utilized in the field of heat transfer and thermal conduction. In this study, nano-biochar was prepared from high-pressure homogenization (HPH) using sesame stalks as the raw material. It was incorporated into ethylene glycol (EG) and its dispersion stability, viscosity, and thermal conductivity were investigated. The nano-biochar was stably dispersed in EG for 28 days. When the concentration of the nano-biochar added to EG was less than 1%, the impact on viscosity was negligible. The addition of 5 wt.% nano-biochar to EG improved the thermal conductivity by 6.72%, which could be attributed to the graphitized structure and Brownian motion of the nano-biochar. Overall, nano-biochar has the potential to be applied in automotive thermal management.

The impact of movement path of sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum L.) during treatment with intense pulsed light (IPL) using a continuous pilot-scale device on the reduction of indigenous microorganisms.

The objective of this study was to enhance the microbial inactivation efficacy of sesame seeds through the utilization of a pilot-scale IPL device, while also identifying the process variables that influence the microbial inactivation effect. Three different types of IPL processes were employed, each with a distinct arrangement, to treat sesame seeds. The total fluences applied ranged from 1.33 to 53.94 J/cm2. Total aerobic bacteria and fungi exhibited a maximum reduction of 2.27 and 2.77 log, respectively. The curved pathway of the sample flow effectively extended the duration of exposure to the IPL emitted by the lamps. The arrangement of the IPL process using two lamps in parallel but at different locations proved the most efficient for microbial inactivation. The application of IPL was found to be effective in reducing the presence of indigenous microbes in sesame seeds while having no significant impact on the physicochemical properties of the seeds.

Effect of sesame cake fertilizer with γ-PGA on soil nutrient, water and nitrogen use efficiency.

γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA), as an environmentally sustainable material, is extensive applied in agriculture for enhancing water and fertilizer utilization efficiency, augmenting crop yield, and ameliorating soil conditions. However, the effect of γ-PGA in conjunction with sesame cake fertilizer on the soil environment remains uncertain.The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of γ-PGA on soil nutrients, water use efficiency (WUE) and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), and maize yield across various levels of sesame cake fertilizer. Additionally, the study seeks to identify the optimal ratio to establish a theoretical and practical foundation for sustainable agricultural development and the promotion of ecological agriculture. Through field experiments, nine treatments were established, comprising three levels of sesame cake fertilizer application rates (B1 = 900 kg/hm2 for low fertility, B2 = 1100 kg/hm2 for medium fertility, and B3 = 1300 kg/hm2 for high fertility) and three levels of γ-PGA application rates (R1 = 200 kg/hm2, R2 = 400 kg/hm2, and R3 = 600 kg/hm2). The results can be outlined as follows: (1) When γ-PGA application rate increased, total nitrogen (TN) exhibited a synergistic effect under B1 treatment, but an antagonistic effect under B2 and B3 treatments. At the 6-leaf stage (V6), 12-leaf stage (V12), and tasseling stage (VT), available phosphorus (AP) exhibited antagonistic effects. However, at the filling stage (R2) and maturity stage (R6), AP in B1 and B2 treatments at various depths underwent partial transformation into a synergistic effect. The levels of available potassium exhibited a notable antagonistic effect, leading to a decrease in harvest index (HI). B2 treatment demonstrated superior results compared to the B1 and B3 treatments, with the highest levels observed under B2R1 treatment; (2) TN content in the 0-40 cm soil layer increased during the filling period, and it was uniformly distributed in the 40-60 cm soil layer. When the soil AP was located in the 0-60 cm soil layer, there was an increase in AP content during the mature period. Following the tasseling period, different treatments exhibited varying patterns of increase in response to the presence of potassium within the 0-60 cm soil layer. Consequently, in cases where the sesame cake fertilizer content is low, the interaction between γ-PGA can compensate for the deficiency of fertilizer, thereby enhancing water and nitrogen utilization efficiency. The optimal fertilization strategy for enhancing soil nutrient distribution, WUE and NUE, and yield is proposed to be the application of 1100 kg/hm2 sesame cake fertilizer and 200 kg/hm2 γ-PGA.

Reduction of toxic aldehydes in heated flaxseed oil using sesame and perilla protein enzymatic hydrolysates.

Reducing ability of sesame meal protein enzymatic hydrolysates (SMH) and perilla protein enzymatic hydrolysates (PMH) on the content of toxic aldehydes including acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, 2-hydroxylhexenal (HHE), and 2-hydroxyl nonenal (HNE), were evaluated in heated flaxseed oil at concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 1.0 g. Adding SMH and PMH decreased the formation of secondary oxidation products and toxic aldehydes during heating. In particular, HHE and HNE were not detected, even at 0.01 g of protein concentration. Free radical scavenging activities in heated flaxseed oil significantly increased when 1.0 g of SMH and PMH were added (p < 0.05). Some volatiles including 2-ethylpyridine, pyrazines, and trimethylamine were formed or increased substantially in flaxseed oils with higher concentrations of SMH and PMH. In general, SMH showed higher antioxidative activity and reducing ability on the toxic aldehydes than PMH. Plant protein enzymatic hydrolysate could control the formation of toxic aldehydes during oxidation of ω-3 edible oil.

Sesame Detection in Food Using DNA-Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles: A Sensitive, Rapid, and Cost-Effective Colorimetric Approach.

Food safety control is a key issue in the food and agriculture industries. For such purposes, developing miniaturized analytical methods is critical for enabling the rapid and sensitive detection of food supplements, allergens, and pollutants. Here, a novel bioanalytical methodology based on DNA-functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and colorimetric detection was developed to detect the presence of sesame (a major allergen) through sesame seed DNA as a target, in food samples. The presence of sesame DNA induces controlled nanoparticle aggregation/desegregation, resulting in a color change (from blue to red) proportional to sesame DNA concentration. The incorporation of multicomponent nucleic acid enzymes (MNAzymes) in this strategy has been carried out to perform an isothermal signal amplification strategy to improve the sensitivity of detection. Also, open-source software for color analysis was used to ensure an unbiased visual color-change detection, enhancing detection accuracy and sensitivity and opening the possibility of performing a simple and decentralized analyte detection. The method successfully detected the presence of sesame DNA in sesame seed, sesame oil, olive oil, and sunflower oil. In brief, the developed approach constitutes a simple and affordable alternative to perform a highly sensitive detection of DNA in food without complex methodologies or the requirement of expensive instrumentation.

Overexpression of sesame O-acetylserine(thiol)lyase induces male sterility by delaying tapetum programmed cell death.

Male sterile lines are key resources for hybrid seed production and for ensuring high varietal purity. However, the genes and mechanisms underlying sesame male sterility remain largely unknown. Hence, this study identified an O-acetylserine(thiol)lyase gene SiOASTL1 and functionally characterized its roles in inducing defective anther development. Spatiotemporal expression analysis revealed that SiOASTL1 is significantly (2.7 fold) up-regulated in sterile sesame anthers at the microspore stage compared with fertile ones. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses showed that SiOASTL1 is homologous to Arabidopsis OAS-TL plastid isoforms. We thus overexpressed SiOASTL1 in Arabidopsis to unravel its regulatory roles. Cytological observation revealed that SiOASTL1 overexpression transformed transgenic plants into male sterile lines arising at the microspore development stage. SiOASTL1 overexpression decreased cysteine biosynthesis and down-regulated the expression of the sporopollenin synthesis-related genes, including AtTKPR1, AtTKPR2, AtPKSA, and AtPKSB in transgenic Arabidopsis. Consequently, the tapetum programmed cell death (PCD) was delayed, resulting in the formation of defective pollen grains with irregular walls and empty cytoplasm. Our findings prove that the induction of SiOASTL1 expression disrupts pollen development and contributes to sesame male sterility. Moreover, these results suggest that genetic manipulation of SiOASTL1 expression may facilitate the development of new hybrid varieties in sesame and other crops.

Arabinoxylo-oligosaccharides production from unexploited agro-industrial sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) hulls waste.

This work demonstrates that sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) hull, an unexploited food industrial waste, can be used as an efficient source for the extraction of hemicellulose and/or pectin polysaccharides to further obtain functional oligosaccharides. Different polysaccharides extraction methods were surveyed including alkaline and several enzymatic treatments. Based on the enzymatic release of xylose, arabinose, glucose, and galacturonic acid from sesame hull by using different enzymes, Celluclast®1.5 L, Pectinex®Ultra SP-L, and a combination of them were selected for the enzymatic extraction of polysaccharides at 50 °C, pH 5 up to 24 h. Once the polysaccharides were extracted, Ultraflo®L was selected to produce arabinoxylo-oligosaccharides (AXOS) at 40 °C up to 24 h. Apart from oligosaccharides production from extracted polysaccharides, alternative approaches for obtaining oligosaccharides were also explored. These were based on the analysis of the supernatants resulting from the polysaccharide extraction, alongside a sequential hydrolysis performed with Celluclast®1.5 L and Ultraflo®L of the starting raw sesame hull. The different fractions obtained were comprehensively characterized by determining low molecular weight carbohydrates and monomeric compositions, average Mw and dispersity, and oligosaccharide structure by MALDI-TOF-MS. The results indicated that sesame hull can be a useful source for polysaccharides extraction (pectin and hemicellulose) and derived oligosaccharides, especially AXOS.

Chemical and structural transformations of lignin in sesame seed hull during roasting.

To investigate the mechanism of lignin degradation during sesame roasting, structural transformations of milled wood lignin (MWL) from sesame seed hull samples roasted at 190-250 °C for 30 min were investigated. The findings revealed that, with increasing temperature, the degradation extent of carbohydrates from lignin carbohydrate complex in the fractions deepened, which reduced total sugar content (from 8.59 % to 0.45 %). Compared to that of the original sesame seed hull lignin (LSSH), the molecular weight of MWL fractions showed a tendency to decline (Mw 4377-2235 Da) with the rise of roasting temperature (210-250 °C). During roasting, lignins in the sesame seed hull underwent degradation and condensation. Due to demethoxylation, the H-type lignin proportion increased from 2.7 % to 26.1 %. Compared to G- and C-type lignin, S-type lignin was more stable. The ß-O-4 linkages decreased from 5.8 to 1.2/100 Ar due to CO bond breaking, and ß-ß linkages from 26.3 to 9.6/100 Ar decreased due to condensation of CC. As the roasting temperature increased, more chemical bonds between lignin structural units were broken, resulting in the generation of more phenolic hydroxyl groups (1.80-2.53 mmol/g). This study helps to elucidate the contribution of lignin degradation during roasting to the oxidative stability of sesame oil.

Valorization of sesame seed coat waste: phenolic composition, antibacterial efficacy, and nanoemulsion encapsulation for food preservation.

The study highlighted the potential of sesame seed coat (SSC), typically discarded during sesame paste processing, as a valuable resource for valorization through extracting bioactive compounds. It examined the phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of SSC, and evaluated its antibacterial properties against foodborne pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Salmonella Typhimurium. Additionally, SSC underwent nanoemulsion coating, analyzed using dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy, to enhance its application as a natural preservative. The research specifically focused on incorporating SSC nanoemulsion into milk to determine its effectiveness as a preservative. SSC demonstrated considerable antioxidant activity and phenolic content, with catechin identified as the predominant polyphenol. GC-MS analysis revealed seven major compounds, led by oleic acid. Notably, SSC effectively inhibited L. monocytogenes in broth at 100 mg/ml. The application of SSC and its nanoemulsion resulted in changes to bacterial morphology and a significant reduction in bacterial counts in milk, highlighting its potential as an effective natural antibacterial agent. The findings of this study highlight the potential use of SSC as a valuable by-product in the food industry, with significant implications for food preservation.

Upcycling of Defatted Sesame Seed Meal via Protein Amyloid-Based Nanostructures: Preparation, Characterization, and Functional and Antioxidant Attributes.

Herein, the possibility of valorizing defatted sesame seed meal (DSSM) as a viable source for valuable plant proteins and amyloid-based nanostructure was investigated. Sesame seed protein isolate (SSPI) and the major storage protein globulin (SSG) were prepared by alkaline extraction-isoelectric point precipitation as well as fractionation in the case of SSG. The protein samples were characterized for their physicochemical attributes. SSPI and SSG were also evaluated for their ability to form amyloid structures under heating (90 °C) at low pH (2.0). Additionally, the functional attributes, antioxidant activity, and biocompatibility of the proteins and amyloid nanostructures were also examined. SSPI and SSG were both successfully prepared from DSSM. The data showed that the physicochemical attributes of both protein samples were quite similar, except for the fact that SSG was mostly composed of 11S globulin, as evinced by Tricine-SDS-PAGE analysis. TEM micrographs revealed that SSG was able to form curly-shaped fibrillar amyloid structures, whereas those derived from SSPI were mostly amorphous. Thioflavin-T assay and Tricine-SDS-PAGE analysis indicated that acidic heating promoted protein hydrolysis and self-aggregation of the hydrolyzed peptides into a ß-sheet rich amyloid structure. Importantly, the amyloid preparations displayed commendable solubility, superior water and oil holding capacities, and antioxidant activity against DPPH and ABTS. The protein amyloid nanostructures were found to be non-toxic against RAW264.7 cells, HaCaT cells, and red blood cells. These findings indicate that DSSM could be upcycled into valuable protein amyloid structures with good potentialities as novel food ingredients.

Liquid-Liquid Equilibrium of Sesame Fatty Acid (Ethyl and Methyl) Ester + Glycerol + Ethanol/Methanol Mixtures at Different Temperatures.

This study aimed to investigate the liquid-liquid equilibrium (LLE) behavior of sesame fatty acid ethyl ester (FAEE) and methyl ester (FAME) in combination with glycerol and the co-solvents ethanol and methanol. FAEE and FAME were produced through the transesterification of mechanically extracted and purified sesame oil, using potassium hydroxide (KOH) as a homogeneous base catalyst. The reactions were conducted in ethanol and methanol to produce FAEE and FAME, respectively. Post-reaction, the products were separated and purified, followed by an analysis of the LLE behavior at 313.15 K and 323.15 K under atmospheric pressure (101.3 kPa). The experimental process for the miscibility analysis utilized a jacketed glass cell adapted for this study. Miscibility limits or binodal curves were determined using the turbidity-point method. Tie lines were constructed by preparing mixtures of known concentrations within the two-phase region, which allowed the phases to separate after agitation. Samples from both phases were analyzed to determine their composition. This study revealed that higher temperatures promoted greater phase separation and enhanced the biodiesel purification process. The NRTL model effectively correlated the activity coefficients with the experimental data, showing good agreement, with a root-mean-square deviation of 3.5%. Additionally, the data quality was validated using Marcilla's method, which yielded an R2 value close to 1. Attraction factors and distribution coefficients were also calculated to evaluate the efficiency of the co-solvents as extraction agents. The findings indicated higher selectivity for methanol than for ethanol, with varying degrees of distribution among the co-solvents. These results offer significant insights into enhancing biodiesel production processes by considering the effects of co-solvents on the LLE properties of mixtures, ultimately contributing to more efficient and cost-effective biodiesel production.

Sesame Genomic Web Resource (SesameGWR): a well-annotated data resource for transcriptomic signatures of abiotic and biotic stress responses in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.).

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is a globally cultivated oilseed crop renowned for its historical significance and widespread growth in tropical and subtropical regions. With notable nutritional and medicinal attributes, sesame has shown promising effects in combating malnutrition cancer, diabetes, and other diseases like cardiovascular problems. However, sesame production faces significant challenges from environmental threats such as charcoal rot, drought, salinity, and waterlogging stress, resulting in economic losses for farmers. The scarcity of information on stress-resistance genes and pathways exacerbates these challenges. Despite its immense importance, there is currently no platform available to provide comprehensive information on sesame, which significantly hinders the mining of various stress-associated genes and the molecular breeding of sesame. To address this gap, here a free, web-accessible, and user-friendly genomic web resource (SesameGWR, http://backlin.cabgrid.res.in/sesameGWR/) has been developed This platform provides key insights into differentially expressed genes, transcription factors, miRNAs, and molecular markers like simple sequence repeats, single nucleotide polymorphisms, and insertions and deletions associated with both biotic and abiotic stresses.. The functional genomics information and annotations embedded in this web resource were predicted through RNA-seq data analysis. Considering the impact of climate change and the nutritional and medicinal importance of sesame, this study is of utmost importance in understanding stress responses. SesameGWR will serve as a valuable tool for developing climate-resilient sesame varieties, thereby enhancing the productivity of this ancient oilseed crop.

A gender-responsive breeding approach to the intensification of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) production in the Maradi region of Niger.

Climatic variability and a decrease in soil fertility have had a detrimental effect on the productivity of the main rainfed crops in Niger (millet, sorghum, and cowpea) and led to a deterioration of the nutritional status and income of the country's farmers. The spatio-temporal variability in rainfall has led rural populations to diversify their farms by integrating sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) into their cropping systems because of its low water and fertilizer requirements. Sesame is increasingly becoming a significant source of income for farmers, and it contributes to their food and nutritional security. To boost the production of sesame and facilitate its rapid adoption, our breeding program focused on participatory breeding and varietal selection with the inclusion of gender-specific preferences, from the variety design to the evaluation of new lines on farms. This case study shows that, although women have more experience in sesame cultivation than men, they have less access to production factors such as land. This limited access is especially problematic, as recent trends in land tenure mean that the poorest are no longer able to exploit large areas of cultivable land. It also evidenced that the varietal preferences of sesame growers as well as the mastery of production techniques are a function of the livelihoods and the investment capacity of actors in the value chain. Our study found that men mainly prefer production traits, whereas women have fewer trait preferences, and their preferences tend to be related to marketing and processing. This finding highlights the contrasting roles and responsibilities between men and women in the sesame value chain. Therefore, the inclusion of complementary traits preferred by women and men, provided that they are not negatively correlated with a variety profile, will help meet the full range of needs across the value chain. We recommend the inclusion of gender research in setting breeding goals prior to variety design.

Sesame oil downregulates the expression of ADAMTS-4 in high-fat diet-induced atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease forming plaques in medium and large-sized arteries. ADAMTS-4 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-4) is an extracellular-matrix remodelling enzyme involved in the degradation of versican in the arterial wall. Recent reports indicated that increased expression of ADAMTS-4 is associated with plaque progression and vulnerability. Bioactive components of dietary oil, like sesame oil, are reported to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Here, we studied the effect of sesame oil on regulating ADAMTS-4 in high-fat diet-induced atherosclerosis rat model. Our results indicated that sesame oil supplementation improved the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative status of the body. It also reduced atherosclerotic plaque formation in high-fat diet-fed rats. Our results showed that the sesame oil supplementation significantly down-regulated the expression of ADAMTS-4 in serum and aortic samples. The versican, the large proteoglycan substrate of ADAMTS-4 in the aorta, was downregulated to normal control level on sesame oil supplementation. This study, for the first time, reveals that sesame oil could down-regulate the expression of ADAMTS-4 in high-fat diet-induced atherosclerosis, imparting a new therapeutic potential for sesame oil in the management of atherosclerosis.

Sesame lignans modulate aroma formation in sesame oil through the Maillard reaction and lipid oxidation in model systems.

The unknown effect of sesame lignans on aroma formation in sesame oil via the Maillard reaction (MR) and lipid oxidation was investigated. Sesamin, sesamolin, or sesamol was added to 3 models: lysine+glucose (MR), cold-pressed sesame oil (SO), and MR + SO, and were heated at 120 °C for 60 min. All three lignans suppressed SO oxidation while increasing DPPH scavenging ability (p < 0.05). Lignans increased depletions of lysine and glucose and MR browning (p < 0.05). Lignans reduced most aroma-active pyrazines, aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, and esters (p < 0.05). Sesamol and sesamolin increased perceptions of the preferable aromas of nutty, roasted sesame, and popcorn while reducing the undesirable green and rancid aromas (p < 0.05). Sesamol demonstrated a stronger effect on lipid oxidation, MR browning, aroma formation, and sensory perception than sesamin and sesamolin. This study suggests that sesame lignans can modulate aroma formation and sensory perception of sesame oil by interacting with the MR and lipid oxidation pathways.

Associations of the Seed Fatty Acid Composition of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Germplasm with Agronomic Traits and FAD2 Variations.

Sesame is an important oilseed crop grown for human consumption in many countries, with a high commercial value due to its high oleic/linoleic acid ratio (O/L ratio). However, its properties may vary among different accessions. In the current study, 282 sesame accessions were evaluated to determine the effects of agronomic traits and genotypes on the O/L ratio. The O/L ratio was positively correlated with the oleic acid (C18:1), stearic acid (C18:0), and myristic acid (C14:0) concentrations, as well as the capsule zone length (CZL), capsule width (CW), and capsule length (CL), and negatively correlated with the linoleic acid (C18:2) and linolenic acid (C18:3) concentrations, the days to maturity (DTM), days to flowering (DTF), and the height of the first capsule-bearing node (HFC) (p < 0.05). In addition, the O/L ratio was affected by the FAD2 haplotype, as the Hap2 and Hap3 sesame accessions had lower O/L ratios. Therefore, we suggest that the increase and decrease in the contents of C18:1 and C18:2 are associated with the FAD2 haplotype. A total of 25 agronomic traits and fatty acid compositions were compared via statistical analysis, and accessions with a high O/L ratio were selected. The results of this study can be used as a basis for further research on the development of new sesame varieties through enhancing nutritional functionality.

Effect of coconut and sesame oils on gingivitis.

The effectiveness of Oil Pulling Therapy (OPT) with coconut (CO) and sesame oil (SO) on gingivitis patients is of interest. Forty patients were randomly distributed into group A and B for CO and SO respectively. Participants of group A were explained in detail about the OPT with CO and group B with SO along with their routine oral hygiene practice for 30 days. The mean plaque index of CO and SO reduced from 1.5 to 1.32 and 1.65 to 1.36 (p<0.05) respectively after 30 days. The mean gingival index of CO and SO declined from 1.12 to 0.9 and 1.1 to 0.81 respectively after 30 days (p<0.05) compared to initial scores. The mean no. of colonies in the case of CO and SO declined from 35.8 x 103 to 32.4 x 103 and 6.8 x 103 to 34.6 x 103 after 30 days (p<0.05). OPT reduced plaque and gingivitis, according to the results of one month. Hence, we must increase awareness about oil pulling, as this home therapy can prevent gingival diseases in countries with limited resources like ours.